Our 19th
Congressional District will be electing a new congressman this November. It’s the
open seat vacated by Republican Curt Clawson. Let’s pay attention to the
candidates. It’s important. Almost 154,000 mail ballots have been requested. Someone
is going to vote. I hope you are.

Open Season for
health benefit changes is fast approaching: Nov. 14th - Dec.12th. Think about your pocket book as there may be
changes you can make that would save you money.

Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)
Premium Increases

Recently the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
announced that premiums in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program
(FLTCIP) will increase by an average of 83%, beginning November 1. NARFE is
stunned and angered at the increases. The increases follow the awarding of a
new seven-year contract for FLTCIP to the John Hancock Life & Health
Insurance Company in May. NARFE is prohibited by law from participating in, or
commenting on, contract proposals between the federal government -- in this
case, OPM -- and private vendors. Even now, after the huge premium increases have been
announced, there are no direct actions NARFE can take that would cancel or
reduce the increases. However, NARFE will be evaluating policy options to recommend to Congress that could provide a greater predictability in premiums and greater accountability from the insurance company when its actuarial assumptions prove incorrect.

Good Local News:Page Field has been awarded a grant in the
amount of $13,643.770 through the Department of Transportation. This grant is for necessary planning &
development projects ie rehabilitation of Page Field’s existing runways and
taxiways.

SECRETARY, EDIE WOLFLEY

GUEST SPEAKERS

As always, we strive to have interesting and informative speakers at every NARFE meeting.
You can meet fellow retirees, have lunch and listen to an interesting speaker. Our May meeting featured Angel Duncan from Neuropsychiatric, who discussed Alzheimer’s Research. At our September 12th meeting, B Heather Golden from Captel Telephone will talk on phone equipment that is available to the hard of hearing. Our October 10th meeting will have representatives from Blue Cross/Blue Shield and GEHA. They will go over changes to their FEHB plans for 2017. Won’t you join us at 10:30 on the second Monday of the month at Smoke n Pit, 1641 N Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers?

LEGISLATION

Sharon Bowman

Message from NARFE President Richard G. Thissen

“After a successful National Convention, I have great faith in our organization moving forward. Of course, we have a lot of work to do, not only internally, but also with Congress back in session. NARFE will continue to fight for the 274,000 federal employees and annuitants and their spouses enrolled in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program. We also will continue to work proactively to mitigate the impact that a small COLA could have on Medicare premiums and keep the pressure on for WEP reform. The coming months hold a great deal of opportunity for NARFE members; it is up to us to make our influence known and to engage our legislators.”

OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

IN EVERY NEWSLETTER, WE PUBLISH THE NAMES OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS WE SENT TO WASHINGTON. This list is to remind you that you elected them to represent us. We should let them know that we (NARFE) are strong and have a voice.

Now is the time to support our team in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Centennial Park, October 29th. Registration at 8:00 A.M.

Our Team Name is NARFE SWFL. If you would like to walk with us, contact one of the officers.

To make a donation, make check payable FL NARFE Alzheimer’s and mail to Sharon Bowman, Alzheimer Chair, 260 Alameda Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33905. Our chapter donations will be sent to Florida Gulf Coast Alzheimer’s Association, in Clearwater, FL. All donations will be credited to our chapter, and will make a difference in the fight to end this terrible disease. No donation is too small and is tax deductible.

For years NARFE Headquarters has shared the statistics on Alzheimer’s disease:

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s

Every 66 seconds someone in the United States develops the disease

Yet many Americans, including some members of Congress, still don’t know that Alzheimer’s takes a devastating financial toll - not just on those with the disease, but on families and the economy.

Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in America, costing an estimated $236 billion in 2016. By mid-century the costs are projected to more than quadruple to $1.1 trillion, with two-thirds of these costs paid by Medicare and Medicaid. While Congress recently provided critically needed additional funding for Alzheimer’s research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the commitment still falls far short of the need. For every $100 that the NIH spends on Alzheimer’s research, Medicare and Medicaid spend $16,000 caring for those with the disease. Urge Congress to continue its commitment to the fight against Alzheimer’s diseaseby increasing funding for Alzheimer’s research by at least an additional $400 million in fiscal year 2017.

Through money collected at our monthly meetings as well as the "donation can" at the Smoke n Pit restaurant, we have donated over $200 this past year to Alzheimer’s research.

MEMBERSHIP:Sharon Bowman

MEMBERSHIP

Total NARFE Membership:230,355Total NARFE Chapters:1,245

Fort Myers Chapter: 114 voting members5 National Life Members

SERVICE OFFICER - Emma & Joe Valla

The NARFE Chapter 0254 Service Officer provides emotional support and assistance to the family on the loss of their loved ones. A booklet “Be Prepared for Life’s Events’ is available to help plan for this trying time for the survivors.

Meet with your fellow Federal retirees and help us build a stronger Chapter and let our elected Senators and Representative know NARFE is watching them. After the meeting we have lunch. The Smoke'n Pit has some great food and lots of it.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q Why should I attend the monthly Chapter meeting?A Supporting our Chapter by attending our monthly meeting is a way of keeping NARFE strong. A strong NARFE helps to ensure that what we worked for will not be bargained away or reduced like so many other
programs Congress has looked at.

QWhat happens at these meeting?AAt each meting we usually have a guest speaker. Our speaker's subject material is usually issues important to the group.

QCan I learn anything?A By attending the monthly meeting you will learn about future legislations that Congress is proposing.
Knowing in advance what Congress is proposing, we can lobby Congress like the big companies do, and have our
Representative and Senators support us.

Q How long are the meeting? A Meetings start at 10:30 A.M. and run about an hour to an hour and a half. After the meeting we have lunch. The Smoke'n
Pit food is very good and reasonable priced.

QHow about FUN at these meeting?A Depending on the time of year, we plan our Christmas party or a summer outing. This past summer our Chapter went on
the BIG M casino boat, The weather was perfect and so was the buffet.

QWhat else takes place at the meeting?A Chapter meetings are A VALUABLE source of important information - What next year's COLA will be, What is going on in Congress on legislations that will effect NARFE Members (Florida has 165,000 annuitants) and any events that need immediate action such as phone calls, email, or letters to Representatives.

Attending the meetings will also give you a chance to meet other Federal retirees and participate in a worth while
cause, protecting your retirement check.